Description :

Two striped Ethiopian canoe-shaped baskets, an oval carved wooden bowl, and a shallow coiled basket tray form this earthy four-piece grouping. The elongated baskets and richly toned wood contrast with the round tray’s radiating geometric pattern in natural tan and dark brown.

Details

• Two handwoven plant-fibre canoe baskets from Ethiopia’s Gambela region, dated to the 1990s according to seller information. Both have raised sides, pointed ends, and contrasting woven bands.
• One oval wooden bowl with an incised border of intersecting lines and elongated diamond motifs. Maker, wood species, and geographic origin are unidentified.
• One shallow coiled basket tray with a light-coloured centre surrounded by dark bands and radiating stepped-fret motifs. Its construction and design are similar to and consistent with Akimel O’odham (Pima) basketry of Arizona. Although, cultural and product identification and production date remain unconfirmed. It is woven from plant fibres; specific materials have not been verified.

Measurements

• Narrow basket: approximately 20 inches L × 5.5 inches W × 2.75 inches H.
• Wide basket: approximately 20.25 inches L × 9 inches W × 3.25 inches H.
• Wooden bowl: approximately 13.25 inches L × 8.25 inches W × 4⅞ inches H.
• Round basket tray: approximately 9.5 inches in diameter.

Highlights

• The grouping brings together contrasting basketry techniques: elongated woven forms and a round tray built from successive stitched coils.
• Historical note: documented Akimel O’odham baskets incorporate light willow and dark devil’s claw to create geometric designs. These traditional materials provide context for researching the round tray, whose fibres and age remain unverified.

Condition

Previously owned with visible wear. The wooden bowl shows scratches, scuffs, uneven finish, and interior discolouration. The canoe baskets have irregular shaping, loose and frayed fibres, and wear along the rims and pointed ends. The round tray shows slight unevenness in shape, scattered raised fibres, and colour variations. Please review the photographs for condition details.

Shipping

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